April 23, 2026 | Pastor Ellen Beach

Take a moment to picture what flourishing looks like in your life. What came to mind? A corner office? A certain home? A body that finally cooperates with you? A marriage that looks effortless? A platform, a paycheck, a particular season you've been waiting for?

Our culture hands us a very specific definition of flourishing, and most of us have absorbed it without even realizing. Success. Wealth. Influence. Recognition. We chase it, measure ourselves against it, and quietly wonder why we still feel like something is missing.

But have you ever stopped to wonder what God describes as flourishing?

The answer is tucked into Galatians 5:22 and 23. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."

Read that again slowly. Not one of those words shows up on a résumé. Not one of them can be posted, purchased, or promoted. And yet this is the list heaven uses to measure a flourishing life.

Psalm 92 tells us the planted will flourish in the courts of God. Flourishing doesn't happen in the spotlight or in the scroll, but in His presence. Which means flourishing is never about how much you've accomplished, but about how deeply you're rooted in Christ.

Flourishing looks like character forming where ambition used to live. It looks like peace replacing the need for approval. It looks like patience with the daughter who tests you, kindness toward the coworker who annoys you, faithfulness in small assignments when no one is clapping.

So here is the better question: Am I more like Jesus than I was a year ago? Am I softer where I used to be sharp? Steadier where I used to spiral? More loving where I used to be quick to judge?

Flourishing that is the result of the Spirit of God at work in our lives is what the Father celebrates.

This week, try this: Write down three ways the Spirit has grown you so far in 2026. Focus not on achievements but on fruit, then thank Him for every single one.

You don't have to be impressive to be flourishing. You just have to be rooted in Him.

Share your growth story with someone this week, and invite them to grow alongside you at church.

With love,

Pastor Ellen